Coupler device



E. P. KINNE COUPLER DEVICE Dec. 10, 1940.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 6, 1939 INvgNToR. Pf

WQ@ @MM ATTORNY.

Dec. 10, 1940. P. KlNNE I 2,224,822

coUPLER DEVICE Filed Nov. 6, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4Z INVENTOR Uma/zd Pfmz@ Patented Dec. 10, 1940 UNITED ,STATES 2,224,822 coUPLER DEVICE 1 Edmund P. Kinne, Alliance, Ohio., aussignor'to 'i AmericanY Steel Foundries, Chicago, Illa, a corporation of New Jersey Application November 6,*y 19,39*,v Serial No. ,302,963

1o claims. (cl. 2134153) My invention relates to an attachment for use on automatic car couplers of standard A. A, R. type, more particularly the so-called type D and type E couplers.

Under certain unusual conditions, couplers of the present standard types have been known to uncouple accidentally due to the relative vertical movement of the two couplers involved. Such accidental uncouplings are likely to result in considerable damage owing, for example, to the emergency applicationof the air brakes resulting from such accidental .uncoupling Moreover, in case of derailment couplers have been known to separate under conditions when it would have been highly desirable for` them to remain coupled, thus reducing the damage resulting from the derailment. l

An object of my inventionis to prevent accidental uncouplings due to relative vertical movement of the couplers involved.

A different object ofmy invention is to ,devise such an arrangement between mated couplers which will prevent their vertical disengagement and which will, at the same time, permit the rcouplers to perform their normal couplingfunctions including lateral andvertical angling with respect to each other.

My invention contemplates an arrangement which will permit the proper clearance conditions between coupled couplers wl'ile, at the same time, affording the flexibilityv which isr highly desirable under normal operating conditions.

My invention comprehendsvsuch an arrangement as that above described which may be applied to all standard couplers at present in use as well as to new couplers. Y

Figure 1 is a front elevation of an A. A. R. standard type E coupler embodying my invention. i'

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of two couplers in coupled position, eachv embodying my invention.

Figure 4 shows in `full lines a bottom plan of a coupler embodying my invention, and in phantom lines a fragmentary portion of a` mated coupler also embodying my invention in' lateral angling relationship. y

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially in the longitudinal plane indicated'by the line 5-5 of Figure 3, illustrating the man'- ner in which my novel attachment limits Vertical movement between' coupled couplers.

Figure 6 is a further sectional View substantially in the same plane as that shown in Figure 5jbut illustrating vertical angling between the mated couplers.,embodying my invention `when there isvyno vertical displacement therebetween.

Describing my novel structure in greater de-l 5 tail and referring particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the coupler 2 is of top operating type with the lifter 3 and comprises the guard arm 4 and opposed thereto the knuckle 6 pivotally sup-` portedas 'at 8 by the elongated pivot pin I0, 10 said pin extending through the top and bottom ears I2 and I4 formed on the coupler head for support of the knuckle. In the front face of the coupler is the opening I6 receiving the tail` of the knuckle in the usual manner. The outboard side of the guard arm is cored out as at 2U and 22 to form the usual openings thereinl spaced by the horizontal rib 24, thus reducing the weight of the guard arm While maintaining a structure of sufficient strength lto meet thstandard tests.

My novel guard attachment is in the `form of a bent arm 26 having the horizontal portion 28 of triangular section (Figure 2) with the flat top at 3,0 forming a seat upon which the knuckle 2 of a mated coupler may ride as hereafter more particularly described. The member 26 also comprises a substantially vertical portion 32 having the hook end 34 which may be vseated in the 'opening 22 in the side of the guard arm. The`- 30 hook end 34 is formed with the lug 36 which Amay have bearing as at 38 (Figure 2) to prevent play of the hook-like end 34 in the opening 22. The opposite end portion 40 of the member 26v is inthe form of an eye having the vertical 35 opening 4I which may be aligned with the pin opening in the ears y I2 and I4 and thus may receive the projecting end of the pivot pin I0. Between the ear I4 and the eye 40 may be seated the compression spring 42, and the member 26" 40 may besecured in position by the castle nut 44 and the safety cotter 46, said nut 44 being threaded on the end of the pivot pin I0 to the point where the member 26 is in proper position.

` With the parts assembled asshown in Figures* 45 1 and 2, the compression spring 42 maintains the eye end 40 of the guard member 26 in proper spaced relation to afford limited relative vertical movement between mated couplers before the 'safety member 26 comes into operation by serv-150 ing as a seat for the knuckle of the mated coupler.r The range of relative vertical movement permitted between mated couplers may thus be controlled as desired. The spring 42 together with the force tof gravity operating upon the guard member 26 will serve to retain said member in its normal assembled relationship with the hook end 34 locked in the opening 22 on the outer side of the guard arm. The spring 42 also reduces rattling and wear of the parts.

Figure 3 affords a top plan view of mated couplers embodying our invention and shows the manner in which the safety arm 26 underlies the knuckle `of .themated coupler in 'each'casa Figure 3 shows the couplers under draft with the maximum spacing indicated at M and M between the knuckles and the faces of the opposed couplers. Under such draft conditions, it will be apparent that the safety arm 26 in each case underlies a substantial 'portion of the mated knuckle so that it may properly function. In this view is also clearly shown the contour of the safety member 26 so formed .that `clearance is provided between the safety arms of mating knuckles as best seen at 48, 48. In other-words, when .two couplers .are in l.buffng ,position .the ,spacesshown atMand M '(Figure 13) will .be tightly closed an'dlthe vadjacent contours of .the safety members v`26, 26 will be in close proximity with each other instead of spaced apart as .seen

`at .48, 48 (Figure).

.Figure 4 shows the `condition when couplers 4.embodying my .invention .are under maximum 'lateralfanglingwith respect `to each other. .The

f3() .view .is .in lbottom ,plan so that .the member :25 .appears in bottom elevation. 4In this view, .the .mating-coupleris shown .inphan-tom linesfat 2A, .and it. maybe notedlthat .the safety member .26A .thereof underlies a substantial -part .of the 'nose ofniaknuekie easmdicated arse.

Ihesectional view of Figure' shows two mated couplers .vertically .offset to the maximum per- .mittedby .my novel safetymember. The coupler -at .the `.right of .this View .is.in elevated.y position .1V- with respect tothe coupler at .the .left .thereof so that the bottom face of the knuckle V.6 .o'f the .couplerat the .left is seated as at .52 upon the top face of ythe.safetymember 26of .the coupler=at the .ri-ght.

,i4-5 .It .may be-noted .that the distance between ,the .bottomface of .theknuckle .of the right .coupler is .spacedfabove .the top .face .of .the safety.mem .berZ of the=left.coupler a maximum distance'in- .dicated at .X, .the Ysaid .distance 4,indicating .the

50 vertical .rangepermitted ,.by.my novel safety device. in the modification illustrated.

.The sectional view of Figure 6 shows two .couplers on :substantially vthe same level but angled .vertically Withrespect'to each other so thattherespective knuckles arein abutment at .their upper inner edges .as .indicated .at 54. In .other words, the-tail of .thecoupler atthe left is angled downwardly with .respect to ,the .coupler at `tl'ie.right,.a condition `which may be found `in gozhump yards yfor example. .Under such condiations, the `safety members .26, .126 of themating I.couplers may abut each-other as at .56. A .cer-

tain flexibility is afforded in .the-attachmentof each safety'member 26, and this .exibility is .best

.-355 understood `from aconsideration of the views of AFigures .2 .and 6. In .Figure 2, it may be `noted that .the pivot vpin LD is centrally positioned in -the .opening'lll :in the eye endJlU of 1the safety ,member It .may ,belnoted that-the pin vopening r7.0 4| .is tapered `from toptobottom along thediameter .indicated at A-.B (Figure 4) so that vvthe .diameter of Ysaidopening isa maximum asiny.dicated Y.at .68 .at .the bottom and a -minimum .diameterlat .the .-topthereof. When a .condition .islencounteied such as is shown in Figure 6, the

ycoupler ears l2:.and If4 atthe topand bottom `thereof, thus lcompensating for manufacturing 10 tolerances or wearing conditions. At the same time, it may be noted that under standard con- -ditionsthe pivot pin I0 is afforded a clearance of approximately one-eighth of an inch in the pivot holes V'of-'the ears -|2.-and I4 so that the knuckle l5 will bear upon'the pulling lugs provided around Y'said 'ears -instea'do'f upon the pivot pin. As a result, the-pivot .pinmay have a small amount of play and the safety device 26 may thus be afforded a degree of flexibility which will permit it 20 .to follow .thermovement .of .the,pivot. pin to which it is attached.

From .the..above,lit will.4 .be .seen Lthat I 'have ,devised a novel safety arrangement .which will' limit .the relative vertical movement .between coupled 25 couplerso'f .standard types. As contemplated, my safety .device maybe modified vwithin limits to .afford Ireasonable vertical .adjustment to Ipermit ,the .maximum relative .vertical ,play between couplers thatmaylbe. accommodated with safety. .30

.It is .toibe .understood that..I do not wish'to be .limited 'by .the .exact .embodiment .of vmy inven- .tion 4which ismerely.' by ,way .o'f illustration and .not limitation .as variousand otherjforms of the device will .of courseibe apparent to .those skilled v35 .inthe art without .departingfrom the spirit of the'invention or "the scope of the claims.

.I claim: v

,'1..In acar coupler, la .couplerhead having a guard arm with an openingthereima transverse- 40 .ly spaced .pivotpinoppositesaid guard arm, a `knuckle ,pivoted thereon, .a.safety .device `conv.nectedat one end to ,said .,pivot.pm andhaving. at -its opposite end a hookelikememberreceived .in

said opening, and .resilient means `between vsaid vcoupler head zandsaid safety .deviceadj acentY said pivot point, said safety devicehavinga .horizontal fportion Vaffording .ya seat for the knuckleof a .mating -coupler to .limit the .relative vertical .-movement of `said couplers. 50

42..-Inearcar-eouplezya head having a guard arm, transversely .spaced pivot .means opposite .saidfguard arm, anda .rigid safetydevice con- .nectedfat one-fendrtofsaid guard .ar-mand at .the 4`opposite endfto said .pivot'means and havinga 55 horizontal portion affording .-stopmeans for the knuckle of faimating couplento limit the relative vertical movement Ybetween said couplers, the connection of said device at its opposite ends affording limitedirocking movement thereof, and .resilient stabilizing means lvinterposed .between .said head and vsaid device.

3. In an automatic car coupling, mated zcouplers,.each of .said 'couplers having .aguard .arm tand Vtransversely spaced I.pivot means op- 65 z-posite saidaguardfarm, a rigid safety device con,- lnected .between v.said tguard arm vand -said vpivotmeans with stop means for the knuckle'of a mating/coupler Iwhereby one-of said stop means -limits .relative Avertical `movement between said coupler-sin .one direction and the otherl thereof limi-ts .said movement :in the reverse direction,

and a stabilizingresilient,memberinterposed between each-of 1saidcouplersand the associated device. 575

4. In a car coupler, a guard arm, a knuckle pivoted opposite said guard arm through the medium of an elongated transversely spaced pivot pin,a .safety device connected at oneI end of said pivot pin and having a hook-like end connected to said guard arm, said device having a horizontal portion alfording a seat for the knuckle of a mating coupler to llimit relative motion therebetween, and a resilient member interposed between said coupler head and an end of said safety device.

5. In a car coupler, a head having a guard arm, transversely spaced pivot means opposite said guard arm, and a rigid safety device connected at one end to said guard arm and at the opposite end to said pivot means and having a horizontal portion affording stop means for the knuckle of a mating coupler to limit the relative vertical movement between said couplers, the connection of said device at its opposite ends affording limited rocking movement thereof, and av resilient member surrounding said kpin andy interposed between sai'd coupler head and the adjacent end of said device.

6. In an automatic carcoupling, mated coupiers, each of said couplers having a guard arm, transverselyspaced pivot means opposite ,said guard arm, and a rigid safety device connected between said guard arm and said pivot meansy with a horizontal portion affording 'stop means for the knuckle of a mating coupler whereby one of said stop means limitsv relative vertical movement between said couplers in one direction and the other thereof `limits said movement in the reverse direction, .the connection of said device at its opposite ends affording limited rocking movement thereof, and a resilient memberinterposed between said coupler head and an end of said device. y

rI. In a car coupler, a coupler head having a guard arm, transversely spaced pivot means opposite said guard arm, a knuckle pivotedthereon, a rigid safety device connected at one end to said guard varm and secured at its opposite end to said pivot means, and a resilient member under compression between said coupler head and said safety device adjacent saidpivot means, said safety -device having -means underlying the normal postionof they knuckle of a mated coupler, the connections of said device at its opposite ends affording limited rocking movement thereof and comprising an opening at one end for said pivot means, said opening having at opposite rsides along one diameter thereof tapered walls serv-y ing to limit said rocking movement. l

` v8. In a coup1er,.a head having a guard arm and transversely spaced pivotr means opposite said lguard arm, a spring mounted on said pivot means, and a safety device having fan'end secured on said pivot means in abutment with said spring and an opposite end connected to said guard arm, the connections between said vdevice and said pivot means and guard arm affording limited rocking movement of said device. thereon.

9. In a car coupler, a head having a guard arm, an elongated transversely spaced pivot pin oppositevsaid arm, and a safety device secured at one endto said guard arm and at its opposite end to said pivot pin, said device having a contour affording clearance for the pivot pin of a mating c oupler andk having a horizontal portion `affording a seat for the knuckle of said mating coupler, the connection of said .device at its opposite ends affording ylimited rocking movement thereof, and a coil spring mounted on said pivot pin in compression between an end o-f said deviceand said coupler head.v

l0. In a car coupler, a coupler head having a guard arm with an opening therein, a transversely spaced pivot pin opposite saidguard arm, a knuckle p ivoted thereon, arigid safety device positioned to underlie the knuckle of a mated coupler, said safety device being connected at one end to said pivotv vpin and'having at its opposite end a hook-like member received in said opening, and 'resilient` means between said coupler head and sai-d'safety device adjacent said pivot l 

